India’s indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant commences sea trials. Photo: AFP
India’s indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant commences sea trials. Photo: AFP
India

India steps up maritime presence in Asia-Pacific – just as US and China conduct separate exercises

  • The Indian Navy is deploying four warships to the South China Sea and the western Pacific as Beijing and Washington conduct separate naval drills there
  • Analysts say New Delhi wants to draw closer to Southeast Asia, with its ongoing border conflict with China pushing it to join US efforts to counter Beijing